Glamping on Paloma Lake at Stella Plantation

location: Braithwaite, Louisiana

Forty minutes outside of New Orleans, on the east side of the Mississippi river lies an old Sugar Cane Plantation. This is the home of Stella Plantation. Things have changed here since the sugar cane days, but they have also gotten brighter. Not only is it still a working farm with crawfish ponds and citrus groves, it has since turned into an event venue. Not only is Stella Plantation a very beautiful and popular wedding venue, it is also great for any personal or corporate event. Last fall, 2018, they opened their first glamping cabins on Paloma Lake. Coming this fall, 2019, they hope to open the new luxury four-bedroom log cabins, complete with pool. Needless to say, they are hard at work on Stella Plantation.

As I write this, it is raining outside. I can’t help but smile as I reminisce of the gorgeous sunny days spent glamping at Stella Plantation. Days spent under the sun, kayaking, fishing, exploring, and even catching crawfish. Days ended with  watching the most incredible sunsets in front of campfires. Going to sleep to the sounds of crickets, bull frogs, and owls. Even hearing the occasional barge. It was all just so peaceful and inviting.

Glamping! I seriously had the best time. I have to say that I think my favorite thing about the whole experience was the cutest little A-frame glamping cabin we stayed in. It was absolutely perfect for a quick little getaway to reset and refocus. This is the perfect weekend getaway or quick trip from New Orleans, or anywhere really. It took us a little under three hours to drive from Mobile, Alabama. And I would’ve gladly driven farther.

The best part about glamping: NO HASSLE. It’s just as fun as camping without having to deal with a tent and everything the goes with it. The bathrooms are nicer, cleaner, and better kept than a campground. Amenities and activities included, plus a very friendly, personable staff to address any questions or needs.

*Campfire is perfect for campfire cooking. We made Frito’s Taco Bags in cast iron skillet the first night. 

Then roasted hotdogs and made foil packet chili cheese fries the second night. There are also two charcoal grills available.

Paloma Lake Activities

– Kayaking

Use a single person paddle kayak or a two person paddle kayak to explore all of Lake Paloma. Venture over to Bird Island, where all the birds congregate, and watch as almost all take flight.

–  Fishing

Try your angler skills with a little rod and reel fishing. It is catch and release, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun catching!

–  Bird Watching & Wildlife

We saw a wide variety of birds; they have an enormous population. We saw a lot of other wildlife as well. The first night we saw a small group of deer at sunset, then they ran through camp as we were packing up. Alligators are in Paloma Lake; we saw a smaller one both mornings while cooking breakfast. If you visit the crawfish ponds you are basically guaranteed to see some smaller ones, including little babies. There is a wildlife sheet in the cabin to check off what you see. And if you have any questions then ask Alex and Morgan, the farm managers. They know all there is to know about the wildlife in this area.

Stella Plantation Activities

– Crawfish Farming

Take a tour through the rows of crawfish ponds and try your hand at pulling out a trap. Then dump whatever is inside the funnel shaped trap into the ‘sorting rack’ (this weeds out the ones that aren’t big enough and anything that isn’t a crawfish). Rebait your trap and stick it back in the water then you pull up your next trap. If you don’t want to participate, then you can just sit on the banks and look for alligators. After all the catching is done, they will boil some up for your group to enjoy. Talk about a fun and memorable experience.

– Archery

Practice your skill with a bow and arrow. Hone your inner Katniss, lol.

– Skeet Shooting

Get ready for the hunt or just have some fun shooting. Ask about guns and shooting before coming.

– Hunting

Pheasant hunts, group hunts, they will help cater to fit your needs. Ask about guns and shooting before coming.

– Explore

Walk around the grounds of the plantation. There are giant oak trees just begging to be photographed. You can also rent out the entire main house, and the bathrooms alone are worth it.

* For more information, email shelby@stellaplantation.com